Finally, it colors...

Finally, the grapes begin to color. Veraison began.

All clusters are not at the same stage

We tend to say that the harvest is 90 to 100 days after full blossom (which was on July 3rd, therefore a theoretical beginning of harvest between October 3rd and 11th) but it takes about 40 days after early ripening, which began a few days ago, so this would put the harvest date around October 1st...

The harvest preparatory meeting is only scheduled on September 20th...

But if we have nearly 15 days late, it is not the same for everyone. Indeed, the harvest began in California with more than 15 days in advance...

Ripening

Back after a few days away, the grapes continue their maturity but it is far from homogeneous (the same way the flower was held in June...), as shown in the pictures taken yesterday from the plot "Chemin de Reims".

Veraison almost complete

On their way...

And the late ones...

With these differences in maturity, we fear a harvest several times ... Thing we have never done!

Chardonnay at "Jardin"

Tomorrow, Tuesday, September 4th, the pre-harvest meeting between the different actors of the Champagne will take place. It aims to determine the appellation for the 2012 harvest. So we will know more Wednesday morning.

Veraison (August, 11)

The work in the vineyard is now complete. It remains only paths maintenance (including lawn mowing), some shearing and let the grapes ripen slowly.
We are now in the sixth sampling network called "réseau matu". The regular rainfalls those recent weeks have not yet had a significant negative effect.

Potential alcohol is now an average of 6.5% Vol. Bunches are colored and do so quickly. The mid-ripening stage was exceeded, we are even on the some plots at around 85%.



August, 3rd

The official opening date of the harvest will be determined Wednesday, August 17.